Service Chiefs Confirmation Not Urgent, Senate Says
The Senate in Nigeria has said it would not cut short its current recess to confirm the appointment of the new service chiefs because there is nothing urgent in their confirmation.
Chairman of the senate committee on media and public affairs, Dr. Ajibola Basiru, said on Friday that the National Assembly postponed its resumption because of another national issue.
He was quoted to have said, “The senate will not cut short its recess to confirm the new service chiefs. There is nothing urgent about it.
“The National Assembly postponed its resumption to enable our colleagues participate in an exercise which is also of national importance.”
President Muhammadu Buhari wrote to the National Assembly seeking the confirmation of the service chiefs, according to his senior special assistant National Assembly (Senate), Babajide Omoworare, in a statement on Friday.
Omoworare said after nominating the service chiefs, Buhari in a letter dated January 27, 2020, wrote to the National Assembly seeking the approval of the legislative arm of government.
He wrote in his statement that, “President Buhari has communicated the appointment of the service chiefs to the National Assembly and has sought for the confirmation of the said appointment by the Senate through his letter to the Senate President dated January 27, 2021. This was done in furtherance of Section 18 (1) of the Armed Forces Act Cap. A.20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
“Contrary to fears expressed in some quarters that President Buhari has bypassed the National Assembly in the process of appointment of the service chiefs and that he has no intention of seeking consideration and confirmation of their appointment, Mr. President upon nomination for appointment sought confirmation of the Senate for the appointment of Major General Lucky Irabor, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru, Rear Admiral Awwal Gambo and Air Vice Marshal Isiaka Amao as Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff and Chief of Air Staff respectively, vide his aforementioned letter.”
He said it is on record that this same procedure was adopted when the immediate past service chiefs were appointed.
He added, “It will be recalled that the National Assembly will only resume plenary sessions on February 9, 2021 when hopefully Mr. President’s communication for consideration and confirmation of the nomination for appointment of the service chiefs would be undertaken.”
